Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 July 2021
233. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is satisfied in the context of the freedom of information publication scheme that all logs are published and up to date in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 2014; if not, the reason they are not published; and if he will update them as a matter of priority. [36127/21]
View answer234. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount collected on an annual basis since the Freedom of Information Act 2014 commenced in respect of fees attached to freedom of information requests submitted to his Department. [36145/21]
View answer235. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of freedom of information requests refused by his Department since the Freedom of Information Act 2014 commenced for the reason that search and copy costs would exceed the maximum threshold; the number of requests that were subsequently granted following engagement with the requester to narrow the scope of the request; and the costs associated with same. [36163/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 233 to 235, inclusive, together.
My Department publishes freedom of information disclosure logs on its website on a quarterly basis. The logs are up to date and in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act Publication Scheme requirements and can be found at the following link www.gov.ie/en/collection/5c178-foi-logs/.
Details of fees collected annually from 16 October 2014 to 30 June 2021 relating to Freedom of Information requests submitted to my Department are provided in the table below.
|
Year of Request |
Total Fees Collected |
Search & Retrieval Fees |
Internal Review Fees |
|
2014 |
€1,180.27 |
€1,060.27 |
€120.00 |
|
2015 |
€1,266.12 |
€966.12 |
€300.00 |
|
2016 |
€1,727.00 |
€1,407.00 |
€320.00 |
|
2017 |
€1,318.00 |
€1,018.00 |
€300.00 |
|
2018 |
€1,760.00 |
€1,430.00 |
€330.00 |
|
2019 |
€1,290.00 |
€1,140.00 |
€150.00 |
|
2020 |
€939.00 |
€879.00 |
€60.00 |
|
2021 |
€210.00 |
€120.00 |
€90.00 |
With regards to the breakdown of requests refused due to search and retrieval fees being over the maximum threshold, and details of the number of requests that were subsequently granted following engagement with the requester to narrow the scope of the request and the costs associated with same, the information sought is not readily available and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work.
